On repeat: forever

I love music. Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely adore music. I have favorites in every decade from the 50s to up to now, and my dream as a kid was to get enough money to get a kickass sound system and a room full of records.

Now, there are songs I just can’t get enough of. I could literally keep the repeat button activated all day and be fine with listening to the same song over and over again.

Reasons vary: the words, the music, the people a song reminds me of, a guitar riff, etc. My favorite band is Queen, everyone knows that, but in this list I’m choosing to exclude them, so don’t be surprised if they’re missing. 🙂 I selected a few of these songs I could have on repeat forever, there are many more of course, but this is a good sample.

Elton John – Tiny Dancer

Elton John is one of my favorite musicians. I started listening to his music at an early age thanks to my parents. I remember borrowing (understand « stealing ») a very cool trifold greatest hits CD from my dad. I still have it; the corners are all worn off. I have lots of favorite songs from him of course, but Tiny Dancer is #1 in my heart.

Elvis Presley – An American Trilogy

Another favorite tune from my childhood, this time discovered thanks to my mom. This song is just so powerful. I especially like the last part of the song after the flute (?) solo, when the all the wind instruments and drums come in and Elvis’s incredible voice takes over.

Eric Carmen – Hungry Eyes

I know – cheesy, right? I don’t know what it is about this song, but I just can’t get it out of my head. It was playing in a shop in Spain when I was there recently, and I started slow dancing by myself, making my husband laugh. Good memories. 🙂

Kari Parker – Bette Davis Eyes

This cover is amazing. I love covers, and discovered this one following a recommendation on Spotify, I think. I’m not sure how. But just listen.

Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights

Such a weird song. The chorus speaks for itself. I don’t think there’s anything else to add.

Paul Simon – Graceland

How many time have I come up to my husband and asked him very seriously if he knew the Mississippi Delta was shining like a national guitar? 😂I know this song by heart, it’s one of my favorite song of all time.

Adele – When We Were Young

OK, now it’s a sad one.

I’m not big on « today’s music. » I mean, there are a lot of non-mainstream bands I like, but no-one I’ll go crazy for. Except for Adele. She is honestly the best musician of our generation. It’s not just her golden voice; she’s a true artist.

My list of favorite songs from Adele is long, and When We Were Young is definitely a special one. It’s now forever tied to the memory of a deceased family member who loved Adele, too. I can’t stop myself from shedding a tear when this song is playing, and that’s OK.

If you haven’t listened to the version displayed above, I strongly recommend you do. It’s beautiful.

Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time

An absolute classic. It’s simple, I’ve always been obsessed with this song. Whenever the first note hits my speakers, I know I’ll have to play it over and over again.

New Order – Temptation

Up down, turn around, please don’t let me hit the ground! How many time have I tweeted New Order lyrics? I love the rhythm of this song (new wave for the win!), the words, and the way it makes me want to dance. You can’t be in a bad mood if this song is playing.

Fleetwood Mac – Bleed to Love Her

Another mesmerizing song. Don’t get me started on Fleetwood Mac though, or this post will take forever to be written. It’s such a fantastic song. Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks and, Christine McVie’s voices go so well together. The live version from The Dance is the one I listen to the most.

Ingrid Michaelson – Can’t Help Falling In Love

Another cover from a great artist by a great artist. It’s simple: voice + piano. It’s full of emotions and it’s really beautiful.

Simon & Garfunkel – The Boxer

By now, I’ve probably used the words beautiful, favorite, amazing and the fact that I know the lyrics by heart a hundred times. But it’s such a beautiful song! My favorite part is when they revive the song to give it even more power with the following lyrics: « And he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him till he cried out. »

Toto – Africa

I don’t think this needs explaining. Everyone loves this song. Apart from Queen songs, Africa (tied with 74-75 by The Connells) is my #1 favorite. The music video is also one of the first I recall watching as a kid, with the library catching fire and the band playing on a giant stack of books. Fascinating.

U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For. But not the regular version. The version where they get together with New Voices of Freedom, a gospel choir from Harlem (I believe). It’s taken from the Rattle and Hum documentary, which I recommend if you haven’t seen it.

A side note on U2: I’m also a massive, massive fan of Bad played at Live Aid in 1985. I’m choosing not to include it here because I already did a piece on it on Instagram stories. You can learn more here (watch it all!) and here and you’ll know why I love it so much.

Dire Straits – Romeo and Juliet

I didn’t give any order to this list, but if I had, let’s say from favorite to least favorite, Romeo and Juliet would most likely be first. What’s not to love about this song? The guitar (obviously) is fantastic, the piano too, and the words I know by heart. No doubt this one is on repeat whenever it plays.

Sixpence None The Richer – Don’t Dream It’s Over

Another cover. 🙂 The guitar solo is to die for, and I feel sorry for my neighbors whenever I yell the words after the bridge is over. Hey now, hey now!

Alphaville – Forever Young

Honestly, I’m not sure what to make of this song, I’m just obsessed.

David Bowie – Life On Mars?

This list is starting to get long, so I’ll stop with the one and only David Bowie. No words can do justice to the genius of David Bowie, so I’ll stop there.Make sure it’s on repeat, turn off the lights, press play, and close your eyes.